Tuesday, October 21, 2008

10 Days Until Halloween - Spooky

>


If you decide someday to stop this little game that you are playin
I'm gonna tell you all what my heart's been a-dyin to be sayin
Just like a ghost, you've been a-hauntin my dreams
So I'll propose on Halloween
Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you



I love simple objects that manage to look spooky under the right conditions. Sometimes it is tons of fun to head on over to flickr and type in random words and see what you can come up with. In this case...my word was spooky. As in Fox 'Spooky' Mulder or the above song. I of course would love to visit all three places right now. Especially the spooky house. Click on each of the phtotos to see more of these great photos and the photographers behind them.





spooky tree

Read More......

Monday, October 20, 2008

11 days Until Halloween - Spooky tunage

>


I love music as much as I love the rest of my pop-culture fandoms. Of course this time of year just like the Yule season ahead has its own special set of tunes you tend to listen to more frequently than others. I thought I would list my latest Spooky Samhain playlist. You wont find most of the classics here because I am guessing you already know them. Do you have your own favorite tunes?

31. Bela Lugosi’s Dead – Nouvelle Vague
30. They Nicknamed me Evil - Cinema
29. The Black Rider – Tom Waits
28. I want to be Evil – Eartha Kitt
27. The Boogie Monster – Gnarls Barkley
26. Zombie Zoo – Tom Petty
25. Nightmare Girl – Aimee Mann
24. My Beloved Monster - Eels
23. Humanoids from the Deep – The Killcreeps
22. Man With the Hex – The Atomic Fireballs
21. Double Trouble – John Williams
20. Sally’s Song – Fiona Apple
19. The Skeleton in the Closet – Louis Armstrong
18. Suspiria - Goblin
17. Cry little Sister (Theme from the Lost Boys) – Gerard McMann
16. Vampire Hunters – Wojciech Kilar
15. Season of the Witch - Donovan
14. Spooky – Imogen Heap
13. Little Drop of Poison – Tom Waits
12.Time Warp – Rocky Horror Picture Show
11. Sweet Dreams – Marilyn Manson
10. Transylvania Concubine - Rasputina
9. Witches Song – Juliana Hatfield
8. Excess - Tricky
7. Spiriti – Mediaeval Babes
6. Supserstition – Stevie Wonder
5. I only Eat Candy – Nerf Herder
4. Dracula’s Castle – New Order
3. Danse Macabre – Angele Dubeau
2. Killer Klowns – The Dickies
1. Red Right Hand – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

In other news is it wrong for me to still want a Barbie? Especially if it is all Tippi Hedron being attacked by crows? She’s too cute. It would be great if they made some other classic horror Barbies. I would buy or beg for them all. Really I would. I want. If they are looking for ideas, I would suggest Bride of Frankenstein Barbie, Vampira Barbie, and Jennifer aka Veornica Lake from I Married a Witch. Of course I am sure there are many more. I would also dig having a Greek goddess type Barbie. That would be made of awesome. Actually it would great to have them all Aphrodite, Artemis, and such. Maybe even some Celtic ones such as the Morrigan. Another cool doll would be Lily from Legend, especially her black dress. She would sit nicely next to my Darkness figure albeit far larger than him. *grin* Ah but enough of dolls. I think I am going to go read some more comics.

Read More......

The Walking Dead: V.8 - A Review

>


The Walking Dead Volume 8
(Made to Suffer)
Written by: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn
Paperback: 136 pages
Publisher: Image
Language: English
July 2008, $14.99

In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. There was a time when he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. But now everything has changed. A few months ago, he and a small band of survivors had found a haven behind prison walls. But nothing lasts forever and this time it isn’t just the undead they need to worry about.

+++++++++++++

If you love zombies and like comics, you really should read the Walking Dead series. In fact, it is this series and a couple of others that renewed my love of comics and got me reading and buying them again. To be honest, if you haven’t read the Walking Dead series, shame on you as it is a very good series.

Issues 43 through 48 sees the return of the sadistic Governor who has manipulated his small town of survivors into attacking the prison. The first few pages we discover what has brought this about from the Governor’s point of view. And then we return to Rick and the other survivors’s point of view.

Some say the dialogue is flawed and I will admit it is very basic and obvious at times. However, the story still hits you and for me that is what matters. All of this time Rick and the other survivors have been trying to rebuild their lives and a society after zombies took everything away and finally got them to start living again. It has always been zombies vs. the living, but this time around it is man against man, and that man is the Governor. This is one of the most violent of the volumes and because of it the loss of life is heavy as well. In previous volumes, Kirkman held no punches when it came to taking out some of your favorite characters and this time there are no exceptions. In fact, I think my jaw dropped just a little with the cliffhanger ending. It is safe to say that things will never be the same again.

The artwork continues to have the same impact. At first I wasn’t wholly impressed with Adlard’s artwork, but over these past 8 volumes I have grown to appreciate it. Well worth the read and I cannot wait to see what happens again.

4 out of 4 happy bibliosnark bookmarks

Read More......

Sunday, October 19, 2008

12 days til Halloween - horror

>


I am a horror movie fan. My tastes range from the slasher genre to ghost stories and it is my film belief that zombies or vampires make everything better. Yesterday I bemoaned the lack of any good horror flicks in the cinema which reminded me that I have enough DVDs to own my own rental store. My horror movie collection is adequate and I thought I would list my favorite flicks of the season that aren’t the usual suspects. In no particular order of course.

12. May (2002)
Plot: May never really fit in and growing up with a pirate's patch to cover her lazy eye did not make things easier. Even as an adult her best friend and sole companion is a doll given to her by her mother... until she sees Adam. In awe of his beauty especially his hands she pursues a relationship for the first time in her life. But she soon finds out that people are not 100% perfect... only certain parts of them are.
Why It’s Good: I love this film. May is a mousy, socially awkward girl whom you cannot help but love. Angela Bettis plays her with a fragile beauty and her attempts at romance and friendship are ones you can relate on some level to. She spends her evenings confiding in a doll her mother would never let her take out of its glass casing and wishing she had someone to call her own. When she finally feels comfortable enough to venture out and away from her isolation things don’t go the way she had planned. The film is part black humor horror film, part bizarre romance and part tragedy. It’s a great film (I even went as May one Halloween dressed as her Halloween costume) that most people overlooked. They shouldn’t have.

11. Suspiria (1977)
Plot: Jessica Harper (PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE) stars as Suzy Banyon, a young American ballet dancer who arrives at a prestigious European dance academy run by the mysterious Madame Blanc (Joan Bennett of DARK SHADOWS) and Miss Tanner (Alida Valli of KILLER NUN). But when a series of bizarre incidents and horrific crimes (including what Entertainment Weekly calls "the most vicious murder scene ever filmed") turn the school into a waking nightmare of the damned, Suzy must escape the academy's unspeakable secret of supernatural evil.
Why It’s Good: Thanks to my best friend Paul, I learned the joys of Dario Argento. This stylishly beautiful film has the creeps and scares you would expect in a horror film. It has one of the best opening scenes I have ever seen and the bizarre color palette, haunting music, and menacing atmosphere doesn’t stop until the very end. While the plot may be a little convoluted, it doesn’t matter. Any film where a man’s Seeing Eye dog attacks him is certainly worth watching, don’t you think? And Ugh maggots in your hair and hairbrush, its enough to make this girly girl cringe every time, but that is why I love it.

10. Exorcist 3 (1990)
Plot: After the death of Father Karras in the original film, his good friend, Lt. William Kinderman is sent on a mysterious murder investigation. Victim after victim starts appearing, with the blames being placed on an old frail woman. Could these murders relate to demons and possession? And how does the patient, who claims to be the Gemini Killer fit into all this?
Why It’s Good: Of course the original Exorcist is a horror movie staple as it should be. Now most of us forget that Exorcist 2 ever happened and walk on over to the real sequel. I think it is as creepy as the original (hallway scene anyone) and relies more on unsettling you than assaulting you with an over abundance of gore or green bile. Some may find it slow, but it is one that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are some great moments of dialogue. George C Scott gives a great performance as does Brad Dourif who will always be his character from this film despite my love for the LotR trilogy. A creepy little film that scares you just when you have your guard down and has those iconic memorable scenes.

9. Session 9 (2001)
Plot: A hazardous-materials-cleanup company has been hired to eliminate asbestos tiles and other toxic material from a gigantic mental hospital that had been shut down in the 1980s. But as one member of the team starts to nose into old files in the office, he uncovers a series of tape recordings of psychiatric sessions--nine of them--related to a notorious sexual abuse case. Soon, toxic materials and dark spirits start to merge.
Why It’s Good: For me some of the best horror films are those that rely more on taut plots and build on creepy atmospheres than on flimsy plots and heavy doses of CGI. Session 9 belongs in the creepy atmospheric category. It is a horror film, a thriller, and a psychological character study all in one intensified by creepy shots, spooky sounds and chilling voices that whisper in the dark. I’m not a big David Caruso fan and the fact that I love this film despite him is a testament to how great this film is. One of my favorite scenes involves one of the characters finding some coins stuck in a wall and discovering a treasure, but it isn’t what it appears to be. Excellent film.

8. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
Plot: During the Spanish Civil War, young Carlos is abandoned at a completely isolated orphanage. The tensions therein have been building for years, exacerbated by the unexploded bomb resting menacingly in the courtyard. Bullies scheme, tempers flare, and a ghost that visits Carlos's bed seems to be the key to it all.
Why It’s Good: From the mind of Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy), who I adore, comes a film that is more a drama with ghosts in it rather than just a straight horror film. It is stylish and well paced with a great atmosphere that relies on as much foreboding as your typical horror film. In my opinion it has some of the best ‘ghost’ effects that I have seen with ‘The One Who Sighs’ from the minute little water bubbles to the blood in water effect. The Orphanage holds more than the murdered boy and watching it all unfold is a delight. So worth checking out.

7. The Orphanage (2008)
Plot: The Orphanage pivots on a pretty woman and an unusual child. When her old orphanage goes on the market, Laura (Belén Rueda, Amenábar's The Sea Inside) and Carlos (Fernando Cayo) settle in with their son, Simón (Roger Príncep). Once acclimated to the remote seaside surroundings, they plan to re-open it as a home for special-needs children. Meanwhile, their seven-year-old doesn't know he's adopted or that he has a life-threatening illness. He does, however, have a lot of imaginary playmates. When Simón disappears without a trace, his parents contact the police, but to no avail. Because Laura has been hearing odd noises and having strange visions, they proceed to consult a medium. Aurora (Geraldine Chaplin, speaking perfect Spanish) is convinced they aren't alone. Carlos has his doubts, but Laura makes like a detective and revisits her childhood--through photographs, home movies, and exploration of the spooky stone manor--to determine who or what abducted her son.
Why It’s Good: Speaking of orphanages and horror films that aren’t really horror films, Juan Antonio Bayona’s The Orphanage is amazing. If you haven’t seen this film, you really should. Another highly atmospheric film, it does have jumps even the ones you completely see coming and jump anyway. The film is eerie, thrilling and sad. And let me say you will never *ever* see me play 1,2,3 knock on the wall. Ever. It’s a great film, one of my favorites this year.

6. The Gift (2001)
Plot: When Jessica King goes missing, all eyes turn to Annabelle Wilson. Not as a murder suspect, but as a clairvoyant. Many of the towns folk go to Annabelle for help, and Jessica's fiancée, Wayne Collins, turns to Annabelle for possible guidance. Annabelle feels that she can't help, but this doesn't stop her from constantly getting visions of Jessica's fate.
Why It’s Good: Directed by Sam Raimi, starring my big girly crush Miss Cate Blanchett, and written by Billy Bob Thorton, this is a southern fired gothic horror tale. The visuals are great (look for Danny Elfman playing a fiddle in a dream sequence) and the soundtrack haunting. Best yet you get some amazing performances by Cate, Giovanni Ribisi and Greg Kinnear. But beyond that there are some great visuals and I am all about the visuals. Some people thought this was too predictable and there are certainly a lot of red herrings, but like my other choices it is a film that relies on atmosphere.

5. House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Plot: Vincent Price stars as a deliciously silky millionaire married to a greedy gold digger (Carol Ohmart) who refuses to divorce him. When he turns his wife's idea for a haunted-house party into a contest--$10,000 to whoever will spend the night in "the only truly haunted house in the world"--it seems he may have found an alternative to divorce. Five strangers gather to test their stamina, Price hands each of them delightfully twisted party favors (loaded handguns, delivered in their own tiny coffins), and the spook show begins.
Why It’s Good: I have to have at least one of Vincent price’s movies in my list if it is Halloween season and this is one of my favorites. Though I also own Dark Castle’s remake with Geoffrey Rush, CGI inkblots ruined it for me. Is it terribly scary? No. Most of it is just campy fun and I would have loved to have seen this back in the day when the skeleton flew at you from the screen. But it has some great witty banter between Frederick and Annabelle and the ending leaves it up the viewer on what really happens in the end.

4. The Strangers (2008)
Plot: Inspired by true events, this heart pounding, nail-biting frightener mercilessly explores our most universal fears, where simply opening the door to a stranger leads to a grueling night of terror one could never imagine. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman star in this relentless suspense thriller that will keep you up at night and make you never want to answer the door again!
Why It’s Good: “Because you were home.” It’s unsettling. It’s creepy and works because of how simple it is. There are no huge sets, creepy CGI effects or even haunting score (though there is one). Instead, it relies on rattling the viewer with a story that could happen. We don’t get a clever back story on the villains. The sound design is amazing and a skipping record of of folk country music has never been more creepy. In fact just thinking about the unease this film creates gives me the shivers, especially since I live in the middle of the country. You’ll love the sense of dread this will bring.

3. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Plot: Brain-hungry zombies shamble through the streets of London, but all unambitious electronics salesman Shaun (Simon Pegg) cares about is his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield), who just dumped him. With the help of his slacker roommate Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun fights his way across town to rescue Liz, but the petty concerns of life keep getting in the way: When they're trying to use vinyl records to decapitate a pair of zombies, Shaun and Ed bicker about which bands deserve preservation--New Order they keep, but Sade becomes a lethal frisbee.
Why It’s Good: I had to have at least one zombie flick in here and despite my love for Raimi and Romero, Edgar Wright is my hero. I love this film. It’s brilliant in its hilarity and snark. It has great performances by all involved and while playing with the genre, manages to do everything it is supposed to do without being too over the top. If you haven’t seen this film, shame on you.

2. The Frighteners (1996)
Plot: In the sleepy little town of Fairwater, a monstrous evil has awakened...an evil so powerful, its reach extends beyond the grave. For Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox), death is a greatway to make a living: ridding haunted houses of their "unwelcome" guests." But he's in cahoots with the very ghosts he promises to evict! It's the perfect scam...until Frank finds himself at the center of a dark mystery. A diabolical spirit is on a murderous rampage, and the whole town Why It’s Good: Peter Jackson directed this little gem that is part black comedy, part horror and part thriller. The performances are great especially Jeffrey Combs’ demented little agent. I find it clever and a great little blend of elements.

1. The Others (2001)
Plot: Nicole Kidman plays a young woman named Grace who is awaiting her husband’s return from the war with her two young children. They live an unusually isolated existence behind the locked doors and drawn curtains of a secluded island mansion. Then, after three mysterious servants arrive and it becomes chillingly clear that there is far more to his house than can be seen, Grace finds herself in a harrying fight to save her children and keep her sanity.
Why It’s Good: Scary and stylish, this film relies on its haunting atmosphere and chillingly good score to build the suspense. There are no CGI inkblots or over the top makeup, which seem to be modern day ghost story staples. Instead, you have an old fashioned ghost story that will keep you guessing. To this day, this is one of the few horror films that I have been to where the audience actually screamed.

Read More......

Manic Monday #138

>


Ah, my first Manic Monday.

How long does it take you to get out of bed in the morning? Not long at all considering that I put my alarm clock on the other side of the room. However, I have the habit of running over, turning it to snooze and then crawling right back into bed instead of starting my day right away. Despite being a girly girl I would rather have 15 minutes more of happy sleep than get all gussied up sometimes.

Do you usually sleep on one side of the bed or another? I tend to sleep in the middle arms and legs completely askew. I have a body pillow, but during the night it tends to get tossed on the floor. Woe be to the man who has to share a bed with me. I suppose as long as he kicks back.

Something you wish to accomplish before the end of the year: I am attempting to be debt free by Yule, but with the move and such it has been difficult getting a job here in my new city. Apparently I am overqualified or so said one potential employer. Bah. But I still think it is doable.

Read More......

Cry Wolf - A Book Review

>


Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Bk 1)
Written by: Patricia Briggs
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ace
Language: English
July 2008, $7.99

Now Briggs begins an extraordinary new series set in Mercy Thompson’s world—but with rules of its own.

INTRODUCING THE ALPHA AND OMEGA NOVELS...

Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate.


++++++

I am a big fan of Patricia Briggs whose Mercy Thompson series has a distinct voice in the urban fantasy genre where action tends to take precedence over character development or where romance takes over. For me, Mercy was different. Sure there was action and romance subplots, but they were not the main focus of the stories. Mercy is the focus of the series and I have enjoyed getting to know the mechanic shapeshifter. In fact, Iron Kissed even had me crying like the big giant girl I am.

I first read about Anna and Charles in the anthology, ‘On the Prowl’ and to be honest I would recommend that people try to nab that first. The story focuses on Anna, an Omega werewolf who is very special when it comes to pack hierarchy. She is neither submissive nor dominant and has the ability to soothe troubled wolves. Unfortunately, not only was she turned against her will because the Alpha recognized her as being Omega, but was then brutalized and mistreated by her pack. When a local turns up dead and Anna recognizes him as being someone that her pack killed she musters up the courage to call the Marrok, the leader of all werewolves, who then sends his son Charles to investigate. As discovered early on in Cry Wolf Charles not only killed Anna’s Alpha but was shot in the process with silver bullets. Another strange thing happened, his wolf claimed Anna’s as his own.

Cry Wolf begins with Charles moving Anna away from Chicago to join Bran’s pack. She is still extremely gun-shy despite her attraction to Charles and unsure of what being Omega really means. The new couple barely has time to really get to know one another before Charles is needed to investigate a possible rogue that is killing people in the nearby mountains. Of course there is more to it than just that.

I think Cry Wolf is a good book, but not a great book. It leans a bit more to the supernatural romance than it does urban fantasy for me and I think the book, especially the characters suffer with the opening missing which leaves the overall story feeling incomplete. I also think if this was the first Patricia Briggs book I read, while her take on werewolf society is very interesting and the characters likeable, I don’t think I would have immediately sought out to devour her other books. Luckily I have known Bran, Samuel, and even Charles from the Mercy series and I have a better understanding of who they are and why they do the things that they do. But a newcomer might be a little confused.

I do like Charles and Anna and would be interested in reading more about them, especially Charles who didn’t get to be as fleshed out as he could have been. Briggs spent this novel developing their relationship and I will admit the progression of their relationship works for me though I think there are still a lot of things that need to be discussed and sorted. I also think said relationship will take less precedence in following books and hit the stride that the Mercy series has in balancing all of the elements. I also hope that Anna’s Omega abilities are more fully explained and realized. I must admit this was the first Patricia Briggs book that I didn’t read all in one sitting because the pacing was a bit slow. I think the last half of the book was definitely more exciting, better paced and more entertaining to read than the first half. With some minor complaints about the villain (who I am surprised lasted as long as she did considering how crazy and easily manipulated she is), I liked the overall story involving her especially Asil. I think my favorite thing about the book is I got to learn more about Bran, the Marrok, who I find fascinating.

If you’re a Briggs fan, it is worth the read if but for the Mercy book 4 preview. As I said I would recommend going back and reading the novella first in the On The Prowl anthology. In doing so, I think you’ll be much happier with the overall story. It’s a good book, maybe not the best, but I think if the series continues the problems that I had with this one will be fixed. It doesn’t help that I had high expectations.

3 out of 4 bibliosnark bookmarks

Read More......

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Welcome to the Jungle - A Review

>


The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle
Written by Jim Butcher; Pencils by Adrian Syaf
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Del Rey/Dabel Brothers
Language: English
Del Rey, October 2008, $19.95

When the supernatural world spins out of control, when the police can’t handle what goes bump in the night, when monsters come screaming out of nightmares and into the mean streets, there’s just one man to call: Harry Dresden, the only professional wizard in the Chicago phone book. A police consultant and private investigator, Dresden has to walk the dangerous line between the world of night and the light of day.

Now Harry Dresden is investigating a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that has left a security guard dead and many questions unanswered. As an investigator of the supernatural, he senses that there’s more to this case than a simple animal attack, and as Dresden searches for clues to figure out who is really behind the crime, he finds himself next on the victim list, and being hunted by creatures that won’t leave much more than a stain if they catch him.

Written exclusively for comics by Jim Butcher, The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle is a brand-new story that’s sure to enchant readers with a blend of gripping mystery and fantastic adventure.


++++

I really like the Dresden Files and have been ever since I first heard James Marsters (Spike of Buffy/Angel fame) read Storm Front years ago. I was instantly smitten and not just because of James Marsters. Harry was a likable character. He was self deprecating and snarky, an anti-hero I instantly adored. Plus, there was all of the magic and intrigue of good urban fantasy. Unfortunately, the TV series didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but when I heard that it was coming to comic form I was excited. Of course instead of buying each issue, I just waited until I could grab it all together in a nice pretty and shiny hardcover sort of form.

Taking place before Storm Front the comic stays true to the film noir and still has Harry as witty and snarky as ever. For those who are not familiar with the Harry Dresden series this is a great place to start. The books, now 10 but soon to be 11, feature one Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, a detective and wizard in a world where vampires, werewolves, faeries and other beasties are as real as you or me. Unlike most urban fantasy today Harry is a bloke, a freakishly tall self deprecating guy, and not an attractive gal who ends up falling for one or more of the aforementioned beasties. He usually doesn’t get the girl in the end, is considered a bit of a loose cannon when it comes to the governing White Council due to his lack of any real control over his powers, and has a heck of a time with technology.

The comic does a great job of capturing the spirit of the Dresden Files and it should be considering that Jim Butcher wrote it. I have to say that Butcher did a great job of translating our hero into comic form. It may be short, but it still has action, magic, mystery and that ever present wit I find some charming. The artwork is typical of comics today and while I liked the depiction of Harry, I wasn’t digging Murphy and Wil ended up looking like a Lara Croft clone to me. However, the beasties and the baddies turned out great. In the end I am looking forward to Storm Front and the other projects the Dabel Brothers (most notably bringing Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson to comic form) have in store for us.

If you’re a fan of the books, this is a must for you as much as the short stories are in some of the anthologies out there. Its urban fantasy in comic form and for diehard fans there is a great Cover gallery, concept artwork and notes by Butcher himself. Plus you get to see Harry, the beetle, Mister and Bob which makes me excited to see some of my other favorite characters in comic form as the series continues. If you are new to Harry, but enjoy The Buffy and Angel comics or even the Anita Blake ones, I think you’ll enjoy Welcome to the Jungle.

3.5/4 Happy little bookmarks

Read More......

13 Days Until Halloween - The Unborn

>

I am disappointed with the lack of decent horror flicks in the theatre at this time of year. Granted I love horror films anytime of the year, but chillers, thrillers, and scares are what you want to watch around this time. Now I haven’t seen Quarantine yet, so cannot say whether Cloverfield with zombies is any good or not. I have no real desire to see yet another Saw movie and the Haunting of Molly Hartley just looks horrible. What I really want to see is a movie somewhat like this…Alas the Unborn and Gary Oldman won’t be hitting theatres until January of 2009.



Read More......

Friday, October 17, 2008

Macgyver on an island...

>



Crusoe aired tonight and I thought I would give it a chance, though I thought it was a tv movie instead of the pilot for a new 13 episode show. The original story by Daniel Defoe was published in 1719 and it has always held a bit of interest for me. Pretty much has been since I watched Swiss Family Robinson as a kid and realized it was loosely based of Defoe’s novel. The new show is also very loosely based on the novel as well. Obviously keeping Crusoe on an island for 28 years is going to be a bit depressing and making it Cast Away also doesn’t really work as a series. Changes and all I thought I would give it a go. Besides, any chance for me to see Sean Bean even for a second, is worth it. (I adore Sean Bean)

So, how was it? Okay. Clearly NBC is banking on a bit of the Pirates of the Caribbean craze which is fine by me. I like pirates. They make me smile. There are some big changes that have been made. Other than being shipwrecked, having Friday as his companion and being on an island they’ve definitely made it their own.

Crusoe is now quite easy on the eyes and Philip Winchester can be shirtless whenever he wants as far as I am concerned. No bearded survivalist here and his clothes have remained remarkably intact despite being on the island at least a few years. Our shipwrecked hottie is also apparently Macgyver on an island (you should see his jungle pad of awesome) which is also fine by me. I loved Macgyver and was all about the mullet love. Fun gadgets, booby traps, and an impressive tree house make me happy. But the man puts Gilligan’s professor to shame. Seriously. There is romance now (told through flashbacks) and Friday and Crusoe are going to be playing up the buddy buddy thing. Speaking of Friday. I really like him. Tongayi Chirisa makes Friday Crusoe’s equal and their friendship is believable.

Next week looks like a little bit Indiana Jones-esque with a long lost tomb. And somehow I think Sam Neil’s uncle figure may make take a Mondego turn with the possibility he may have some un-uncle like designs on Crusoe’s wife. Not that Crusoe would go the Edmund Dantes route and have revenge be his sole focus when he returns to the mainland, if he ever does. It also looks like Alias’s Mia Maestro will be playing someone on the show as well so mainland intrigue may be plentiful. The first episode had pirates, even a lovely pirate wench and the action was fun. There was humour, swordfights, snarkiness, a cute puppy and the aforementioned Sean Bean for 12 seconds. How on earth they are going to keep it going and interesting for 13 episodes, I am still not sure but I might try it again next week especially if Crusoe is shirtless again.

Read More......

Thursday, October 16, 2008

My inner D&D Character

>


Apparently my half elf sorceress was really the wrong way to go. What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?

I Am A: True Neutral Human Druid/Ranger (2nd/2nd Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength-11
Dexterity-12
Constitution-11
Intelligence-16
Wisdom-14
Charisma-13

Alignment: True Neutral
A true neutral character does what seems to be a good idea. He doesn't feel strongly one way or the other when it comes to good vs. evil or law vs. chaos. Most true neutral characters exhibit a lack of conviction or bias rather than a commitment to neutrality. Such a character thinks of good as better than evil after all, he would rather have good neighbors and rulers than evil ones. Still, he's not personally committed to upholding good in any abstract or universal way. Some true neutral characters, on the other hand, commit themselves philosophically to neutrality. They see good, evil, law, and chaos as prejudices and dangerous extremes. They advocate the middle way of neutrality as the best, most balanced road in the long run. True neutral is the best alignment you can be because it means you act naturally, without prejudice or compulsion. However, true neutral can be a dangerous alignment because it represents apathy, indifference, and a lack of conviction.

Race: Humans
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Primary Class: Druids
Druids gain power not by ruling nature but by being at one with it. They hate the unnatural, including aberrations or undead, and destroy them where possible. Druids receive divine spells from nature, not the gods, and can gain an array of powers as they gain experience, including the ability to take the shapes of animals. The weapons and armor of a druid are restricted by their traditional oaths, not simply training. A druid's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast.


Secondary Class: Rangers
Rangers are skilled stalkers and hunters who make their home in the woods. Their martial skill is nearly the equal of the fighter, but they lack the latter's dedication to the craft of fighting. Instead, the ranger focuses his skills and training on a specific enemy a type of creature he bears a vengeful grudge against and hunts above all others. Rangers often accept the role of protector, aiding those who live in or travel through the woods. His skills allow him to move quietly and stick to the shadows, especially in natural settings, and he also has special knowledge of certain types of creatures. Finally, an experienced ranger has such a tie to nature that he can actually draw on natural power to cast divine spells, much as a druid does, and like a druid he is often accompanied by animal companions. A ranger's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that he can cast.

Read More......

Reason #37 on why...

>


I think I am going to like Japan. If you even remotely know me, you will know that Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. I am also a big fan of food. Put them together and I am one happy camper. These delectable little things are called bento boxes. In short, they are single serving little meals. A more indepth explanation, ala wikipedia, is: A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables as a side dish. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. Although bento is readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops, train stations, and department stores, it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend considerable time and energy producing an appealing boxed lunch.

Bento can be very elaborately arranged. Contests are often held where homemakers can compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements. The food is often decorated to look like people, animals, or characters and items such as flowers and plants. This style of elaborate bento is called kyaraben.


Aren’t these cute? And oh so edible. It not only makes me hungry, but makes me want to create my own. Nicole, I miss onigiri. Which one do you think is the best?




Read More......

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Appaloosa: A Movie Review

>


Appaloosa (2008)
Plot: When Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch arrive in Appaloosa, they find a town suffering at the hands of a rancher named Randall Bragg that means to own everything in it, and who has already left the city Marshall and one of his deputies dead. Cole and Hitch are used to cleaning up after scavengers, but this one raises the stakes by playing not by the rules, but with emotion. Cole and Hitch are hired to save the town from Bragg, but a young attractive widow arrives to complicate matters.
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renee Zellweger
Directed By: Ed Harris
Genre: WESTERN
Time: 1 hr 54 min

I should start with the fact that I am not terribly fond of westerns in general. Not that there aren’t some good ones, there are, and films like 3:10 to Yuma, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford have been recent favorites. On the whole it is not a genre I seek out when it comes to my movie geekiness. My dad, however, loves Westerns and was excited to find out that a man from Bozeman was in it as well, so when this came to town we made a point to go together. I’ll admit I was intrigued and am quite willing to see any film that Viggo Mortensen is in. Add in Jeremy Irons and Ed Harris, two more of my favorite actors, and I expected it wouldn’t be too hard to watch.

I am happy to say that I was not disappointed at all. Based on a novel by Robert B Parker, Ed Harris plays Virgil Cole who, along with his long time partner and friend Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen), is hired as marshal to clean up the small town of Appaloosa. The previous marshal was killed by land baron Randall Bragg, played by the equally talented Jeremy Irons, whose men do as they please in the town.

Applause goes to Ed Harris who acted, directed, produced, and helped write the film. As I said I have been a fan of Ed Harris for some time as an actor. He’s handsome, with beautiful blue eyes and has a way of commanding the screen. While his character may be somewhat stereotypical of the Western genre in my opinion (cold hearted gunslinger who wants to settle down and get out of this life, but who will never back down from a fight even when he questions it), he plays it well. Same goes with Viggo Mortensen, who disappears into his roles. As Everett he is largely silent, his rifle always on his shoulder and looking oh so delectable leaning against plenty of walls. He respects his partner, Cole, even when he doesn’t understand him. Virgil and Everett rely on each other. They each know the other’s strengths and weaknesses and the dialogue between the two is great. The chemistry between Harris and Mortensen makes the film that more enjoyable.

And then you have Jeremy Irons, who is equally gorgeous to a gal such as me, and certainly no slouch in the acting department. Bragg is a bastard and with his gravelly voice and stare, you cannot help but love to hate his villainous character. Add in great turns by Timothy Spall and Lance Henricksen and the film is actuallu chock full of great performances. The one performance I did not like was Renee Zellweger’s. Not only did she seem to have lost all ability to emote from the mouth up, but I really did not like her character. She was a plot device while her character may be realistic of women of that time perhaps, her constantly wanting to snog every Alpha male in the film was disturbing. I could buy Ali being torn between Virgil and Everett, but when she didn’t even change after her kidnapping (at first I thought she was a plant from the start the way she was happily skinny-dipping with her captors whose sole purpose was to create a rift between Cole and Hitch) I was even more annoyed. In short, she was my least liked part of the film and I would feel the same about her character if I had read the book. I liked Katie much more (Adriana Gil from Pan’s Labyrinth) and was thankful that Everett quickly saw French for who and what she really was.

Apart from the great performances I did not find the film predictable despite having some of the Western staples. I got a great gunfight, some beautiful cinematography, and the outlaws I expected to find, but I also got an old school western about friendship, honor and loyalty. It had everything I wanted in it and it is a film that I would recommend seeing in the theatre if you can as some of the film’s beauty will be lost on the small screen. Definitely worth a look.

3.75/4 popcorns

Read More......

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

I am an Ingrid

>


You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"
Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me
* Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
* Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
* Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
* Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
* Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid
* my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
* my ability to establish warm connections with people
* admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
* my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
* being unique and being seen as unique by others
* having aesthetic sensibilities
* being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid
* experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
* feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
* feeling guilty when I disappoint people
* feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
* expecting too much from myself and life
* fearing being abandoned
* obsessing over resentments
* longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often
* have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
* are very sensitive
* feel that they don't fit in
* believe they are missing something that other people have
* attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
* become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
* feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents
* help their children become who they really are
* support their children's creativity and originality
* are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
* are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
* are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Which Starlet are You?

Read More......

Monday, October 6, 2008

Reasons to love you more

>


One more reason for me to lust after Jason Statham. According to imdb this morning:

Movie hardman Jason Statham has shattered his tough guy image by confessing he is addicted to U.S. reality TV show So You Think You Can Dance? (whoo hoo me too! Is it next summer already?) The Snatch actor has built his image on his hard reputation, but admits that he likes nothing better than watching the dance competition. He says, "I've been hooked on So You Think You Can Dance?"

And although Statham would never consider going on a reality show, he would like to dabble in dancing - because he enjoyed watching musicals when he was younger.
He adds, "(But) It would be nice to do a little tango or a little rock 'n' roll jive. I love all the great musicals - West Side Story, Singin' In The Rain. My mum and dad were fanatical about those. I've seen those films many times. "On The Town, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Donald O' Connor, Cyd Charisse. Brilliant. Great music, great physical drama. I love all that, very expressive."


Oh Jason. Le sigh.

Read More......

Psych Redux

>


I have a crush on Simon Baker (then again, who don’t I have a crush on). I will pretty much watch anything he is because he exudes a charisma and screen presence that I find fascinating. He features in my dreams of zombie apocalypses…well him and Jake Weber and occasionally Gerard Butler whom I think would do well during a zombie invasion apparently. In the cancelled show ‘Smith’ (which was a shame cause I kinda liked it) he played a very sexy, very convincing and very scary psychopath and adorable in Something New. Add the Guardian, another tv show I enjoyed, and the aforementioned zombie apocalypse film of Land of the Dead and I have been smitten for some time which is why I started watching The Mentalist.

When I first heard about the show all I could think of was that it is a Psych rip-off without the pop culture references and highly memorable dialogue. The similarities are there. Shawn Spencer pretends to be a psychic to solve crimes in Psych. Patrick Jane used to pretend to be a psychic and now solves crimes in the Mentalist. Both use their keen powers of observation and memory that apparently the rest of the crime units don’t sue. Both are a bit snarky. Both…are fun to watch, but in different ways. Psych is a comedy with crime thrown in, whereas The Mentalist is going the CSI route when it comes to the crimes. There is humor, but is definitely more of a drama.

As I said Simon Baker has charisma and he steals the show whenever he is on the screen which thankfully for me…is a lot. However, two episodes in and the rest of the cast hasn’t gelled as well with him thus far. I think the problem is they’re not making the other characters useful enough yet. I do like the fact that it is both cynical and snarky, but that maybe there might be more to Patrick Jane than everyone thinks. I think you really are psychic. You just don't want to admit it, one person says to Patrick and he has a way of saying ‘that’s one way to do it, but is this really how I did it’ when it comes to his little tricks.

In the end I figure any show that gives Simon Baker a job makes me a happy camper. Of course because I kind of like it, it is doomed for cancellation.

Read More......

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Urban Fantasy - October Releases

>


Urban Fantasy is by far my favorite genre to read. Here are the new releases for October. I am sure I will be reading all of them...eventually.

OCTOBER 7
Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception
By Maggie Stiefvater
“Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She’s about to find out she’s also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen’s sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren’t so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn’t exactly what she had in mind . . .Lament is a dark faerie fantasy that features authentic Celtic faerie lore, plus cover art and interior illustrations by acclaimed faerie artist Julia Jeffrey.”

Pretty Monsters
By Kelly Link
“Through the lens of Kelly Link’s vivid imagination, nothing is what it seems. From the multiple award-winning “The Faery Handbag,” in which a teenager’s grandmother carries an entire village (or is it a man-eating dog?) in her handbag, to the near-future of “The Surfer,” whose narrator waits with a planeload of refugees for the aliens to arrive, Link’s stories are funny and full of unexpected insights and skewed perspectives on the world…”


Midnight’s Daughter (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir Book One)
By Karen Chance
“Dorina Basarab is a dhampir—half-human, half-vampire. Unlike most dhampirs, though, Dory remains sane. Now Dory’s vampire father has come to her for help. Her Uncle Dracula has escaped his prison and her father wants Dory to work with master vampire Louis-Cesare to put him back. Although Dory prefers to work alone, Dracula is the only thing that truly scares her—and when she has to face him, she’ll take all the help she can get…”

Mysteria Lane: An Anthology
By MaryJanice Davidson
“Return to a town of bewitching seduction and sensual demons. There’s a spellbinding witch of love who wants to make one man hers; a vegan having trouble adapting to vampirism; Satan’s emissary, who is looking for steady work in Colorado; and angelic triplets feeling a wee touch of the devil.MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, Gena Showalter, P.C. Cast

Blood Memories
By Barb Hendee
“Eleisha Clevon has the face of a teen angel, but she is no angel. Unlike most vampires, she doesn’t like to kill, but self-preservation comes first.When an old friend destroys himself by walking into sunlight right in front of her, Eleisha is shocked. And what she finds afterwards points to how very sick of his existence her friend had become—piling drained corpses in the basement and keeping records of other vampires’ real names and addresses. That’s a problem.Because now, there are policemen on the case: two very special humans with some gifts of their own. They know who Eleisha is, and, even more dangerous, what she is.”

Wolfsbane & Mistletoe: An Anthology
By Charlaine Harris
“New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, and Carrie Vaughn—along with eleven other masters of the genre—offer all-new stories on werewolves and the holidays, a fresh variation on the concept that worked so well with birthdays and vampires in Many Bloody Returns.The holidays can bring out the beast in anyone. They are particularly hard for lycanthropes. Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner have harvested the scariest, funniest and saddest werewolf tales by an outstanding pack of authors, best read by the light of a full moon with a silver bullet close at hand. Whether wolfing down a holiday feast (use your imagination) or craving some hair of the dog on New Year’s morning, the werewolves in these frighteningly original stories will surprise, delight, amuse, and scare the pants off readers who love a little wolfsbane with their mistletoe.Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, Carrie Vaughn, and others.”

Witch High
By Denise Little
“High school is different for everyone. For some, it’s a time to shine and for others, a time to survive. Then there are the special schools for the gifted. But what if there was a school that catered to those who can do magic? Enter Salem Township Public High School #4—otherwise known as Witch High. Featuring fourteen tales, “Witch High” explores the challenges that students of the magical arts may face in a high school of their very own…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OCTOBER 14
The Watchers Out of Time
By HP Lovecraft
“Venture at your own risk into a realm where the sun sinks into oblivion and all that is unholy, unearthly, and unspeakable rises. A perfect Halloween treat, The Watchers Out of Time features fifteen rare, hard-to-find, soul-chilling tales of cosmic terror by H.P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, including Wentworth’s Day, The Shuttered Room, The Dark Brotherhood, Innsmouth Clay and Witches’ Hollow…”

Ghost Radio
By Leopolodo Gout
“From a haunting new voice, "Ghost Radio” is a terrifying novel about a ghost-story call-in radio show that inadvertently opens a doorway into the paranormal, giving voice to the dead and instigating an epic battle for the souls of the living. Caught in this nightmare is charismatic host Joaquin who is forced to confront his past and his own mortality in order to save that which is most precious to him and repair the crumbling wall between the living and the dead…”

Vampire Zero
By David Wellington
“U.S. Marshal Jameson Arkeley—the country’s foremost authority on vampires—taught police investigator and vampire fighter Laura Caxton everything she knows about monsters. Now Arkeley is a vampire himself and Caxton is faced with the task of destroying him. But Arkeley knows all her tactics. Even more important, Laura has to prevent him from becoming a beast exponentially more dangerous—a Vampire Zero…”

By the Sword (Repairman Jack Novel)
By F. Paul Wilson
“Jack is hired to find a legendary Japanese sword, stolen from the Hiroshima Peace Museum and brought to New York City. But members of a weird Japanese cult, a young Japanese businessman and his three Yakuza bodyguards, and Hank Thompson, the Kicker cult leader from “Bloodline”, are all looking for the sword as well… “By the Sword” takes F. Paul Wilson’s trademark breakneck pacing and interweaving storylines to a new level…”

Goth
By Otsuichi
“In this truly shocking tale of terror, two high school sociopaths become fixated on a local serial murderer. But rather than trying to prevent and solve the next murder, their obsession grows, taking them on a descent into a maniacal darkness in which the most nightmarish acts occur. Psychologically twisted and emotionally wrenching, Otsuichi’s compelling novel “Goth” takes Japan's horror tradition to a whole new level of fear…”

The Ghost’s Child
By Sonya Hartnett
“Maddy arrives home one day to find a peculiar boy waiting for her. Over tea, she tells him the story of her life long ago, when she wished for her days to be as romantic & mysterious as a fairy tale. It was then that she fell in love with a free spirit named Feather, who put aside his wild ways to live with her in a little cottage, conceived with her a child never to be born, and disappeared—leaving Maddy to follow after him on a fantastical journey across the sea…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OCTOBER 21
The Widows of Eastwick
By John Updike
“More than three decades have passed since the events described in John Updike’s The Witches of Eastwick. The three divorcées—Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie—have left town, remarried, and become widows. They cope with their grief and solitude as widows do: they travel the world, to such foreign lands as Canada, Egypt, and China, and renew old acquaintance. Why not, Sukie and Jane ask Alexandra, go back to Eastwick for the summer? The old Rhode Island seaside town, where they indulged in wicked mischief under the influence of the diabolical Darryl Van Horne, is still magical for them. Now Darryl is gone, and their lovers of the time have aged or died, but enchantment remains in the familiar streets and scenery of the village, where they enjoyed their lusty primes as free and empowered women. And, among the local citizenry, there are still those who remember them, and wish them ill. How they cope with the lingering traces of their evil deeds, the shocks of a mysterious counterspell, and the advancing inroads of old age, form the burden on Updike’s delightful, ominous sequel.”

Soulless
By Christopher Golden
“Times Square, New York City: The first ever mass séance is broadcasting live on the Sunrise morning show. If it works, the spirits of the departed will have a brief window to send a final message to their grieving loved ones. What happens next though is a nightmare. The spirits have returned . . . but as the walking dead and they are no longer your family, your friend or your lover. They are savage and they are hungry. They are soulless…”

Living With the Dead (Women of the Otherworld Book nine)
By Kelley Armstrong
“Robyn Peltier moved to Los Angeles after her young husband’s sudden death, trying to put some distance between herself and her memories. Though she’s still grieving, the challenges of her new life as the PR consultant to Portia Kane—the world’s most famous celebutante wannabe—can sometimes be amusing, even distracting. But when her client is gunned down in the back room of a nightclub, Robyn is suddenly on the run as the prime suspect in the murder. And as more bodies pile up around her, it seems like only Hope Adams, Robyn’s best friend, and Hope’s somewhat spooky boyfriend Karl are on Robyn’s side. Hope Adams follows the kinds of stories whose headlines scream from supermarket checkout lines. But the difference is that Hope’s stories are even weirder—and they’re all true. Though determined to help Robyn, Hope knows it’s only a matter of time before her friend is caught. But it’s not the police Hope is worried about. For Robyn has gotten herself in the middle of a turf war between two powerful Otherworld cabals who’ll spill any amount of blood—human and inhuman—to protect what they consider theirs for all eternity. And the only way Hope can keep her friend alive is by letting her enter a world she’s safer knowing nothing about.”

Blood Lite: An Anthology
By The Horror Writers Association
““Blood Lite” is a collection of entertaining tales that puts the fun back into dark fiction, with ironic twists and tongue-in-cheek wit to temper the jagged edge. Features contributions by Kevin J. Anderson, Kelley Armstrong, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Joe R. Landsdale, Mike Resnick, and J.A. Konrath & F. Paul Wilson, plus many other tales guaranteed to get under your skin—in a good way…”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OCTOBER 28
Dead Reign (Marla Mason Book 3)
By TA Pratt
“Death has come calling, and one woman has what he wants most of all…As chief sorcerer of Felport, Marla Mason thought she’d faced every kind of evil the magical world had to offer. But she’s never faced a killer like this. He’s dark, glib, handsome as the devil—and exactly who he says he is. Death—in the flesh. He’s arrived in Felport with a posse composed of a half-insane necromancer and the reanimated corpse of John Wilkes Booth, and he isn’t leaving until he gets what he came for. Only Marla is crazy enough to tell Death to go back to Hell.With the Founders’ Ball just around the bend, drawing together the brightest, meanest, and most dangerous of Felport’s magical elite, the last thing Marla needs is all-out war with the King of the Underworld, but that’s exactly what she’s got. As the battle lines are drawn, she can count on her hedonistic, body-hopping partner Rondeau…but how many of her old allies will stand by her side when facing the ultimate adversary? To save her city, Marla will have to find a way to cheat Death…literally…”

Let the Right One In
By John Ajvide Lindqvist
“In Blackeberg, Sweden, 1981, the body of a teenage boy is found, emptied of blood. The murder is rumored to be part of a ritual killing. Twelve-year-old Oskar is personally hoping that it’s revenge for the all of the bullying he endures at school every day. But the murder is not the most important thing on his mind. A new girl has moved in next door. A very odd girl who only comes out at night… This is a new paperback movie tie in version for the film which is released in select cities this month.”

Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic Book One)
By Keri Arthur
“Desire calls. Danger Lurks.But…When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has—and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human—and both are running for their lives. Together they’re riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust…but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive—until the shocking secret of one woman’s destiny finally unravels.…”

A Wind Named Amnesia
By Hideyuki Kikuchi & Illustrated By Yoshitaka Amano
“In one night, the 'amnesia wind' swept away thousands of years of human civilization with mankind reduced to an extremely primitive level. Two years later, miraculously re-educated after the cataclysm, a young man is accompanied by a young woman—somehow spared the effects of the amnesia wind—as he explores America. Pursued by a relentless killing machine, they search for those responsible for stealing their memories…”

Brimstone Kiss (Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator Book Two)
By Carole Nelson Douglas
“Delilah and her partner—tall, dark, handsome, and Hispanic ex-FBI guy Ric Montoya—are busy solving a “Romeo and Juliet” double-murder and she's got plenty to deal with including vampires, werewolves, and tigers, oh my!”

Backup
By Jim Butcher & Illustrated By Mike Mignola
“Let’s get something clear right up front.I’m not Harry Dresden.Harry’s a wizard. A genuine, honest-to-goodness wizard. He’s Gandalf on crack and an IV of Red Bull, with a big leather coat and a .44 revolver in his pocket. He’ll spit in the eye of gods and demons alike if he thinks it needs to be done, and to hell with the consequences–and yet somehow my little brother manages to remain a decent human being.I’ll be damned if I know how. But then, I’ll be damned regardless.My name is Thomas Raith, and I’m a monster. So begins “Backup,” a twelve thousand word novelette set in Jim Butcher s ultra-popular Dresden Files series. This time Harry’s in trouble he knows nothing about, and it’s up to his big brother Thomas to track him down and solve those little life-threatening difficulties without his little brother even noticing”

Read More......